Bank payment company GoCardless will open a new office in Leeds later this year, establishing a ‘Northern Hub’ to expand its UK presence and tap into the regional talent pool. The company plans to hire a team of 50 employees for the new office within the first 12 months, with roles spanning sales, partnerships, corporate services and operations.
GoCardless intends to scale the Leeds office rapidly in the coming years, replicating the expansion model of its existing hub offices in London and Riga. The move aligns with the UK government’s ‘Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy’ and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s ‘Local Growth Plan’.
Tapping into the Leeds fintech ecosystem
The new office will serve as a strategic centre for innovation and talent acquisition. In its announcement, GoCardless described Leeds as one of the UK’s most vibrant financial and professional services centres, with a thriving fintech community and a strong university network.
The company will join a number of other financial institutions and innovators in the city, including Leeds Building Society, the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Pexa, and LHV UK.
Hiroki Takeuchi, co-founder and chief executive officer at GoCardless, commented: “Leeds is one of the UK’s most vibrant financial and professional services centres, with a thriving fintech community and strong university network. It was a natural choice for our Northern Hub and with the introduction of the Leeds Reforms, this dynamic ecosystem will only grow. We’re excited to become a key player in this fintech hot spot, tapping into a rich talent pool while also providing closer, more local support to our customers and partners across the region.”
Alignment with regional and national growth strategies
The expansion received support from national, regional, and local government leaders, who framed it as a validation of efforts to grow the UK’s financial services sector outside of London.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “I am delighted to see the plans for GoCardless to set up their new office in Leeds, delivering good, high-skilled jobs across the region. Just a few months ago I set out our Leeds Reforms, the plans to make the UK the top destination for financial services businesses by tearing down barriers to investment.”
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, added: “This announcement is a huge vote of confidence in our region’s outstanding ecosystem of talent, innovation and collaboration. GoCardless’ expansion is both a powerful validation of our local growth plan and a clear demonstration of the Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms in action. In creating a vibrant companion to the City of London, we are forging the global financial district of the future.”
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome GoCardless to Leeds and into the home of the Northern Square Mile. We’re confident that GoCardless’s expertise and innovation will complement our existing strengths and contribute significantly to the collaborative ‘Team Leeds’ approach that drives success across all sectors”.
